CPR (Campaign for Progressive Radio) is now CPR (Campaign for Press Reform), reflecting the broader media reform approach CPR is taking, though still focused on radio. The CPR Website has not been updated yet with the new name... CPR remains a fitting abbreviation as San Diego media (esp. radio) still needs resuscitation. CPR met last night and I was there -- an upcoming post here will give more info.
So, to the rescue... The new Watchdog instititute at SDSU, led by SD Union Tribune "senior editor for metro and watchdog journalism" Lorie Heard. The mission: "To provide data-driven investigative journalism to residents of San Diego and Imperial counties, And to help develop new investigative journalists through SDSU for metro and watchdog journalism." . So far, the WI Website is just a splash page, though VOSD said on Oct. 29 that it has has moved into SDSU offices and published its first story. The VOSD article was written by Randy Dotinga, who also writes on radio for the North County Times.
Perhaps the endeavor was spurred along by the success of investigative up-and-comer VOSD, VoiceofSandiego.org, and the UT's need to shore-up their investigative shop. In any case, I wish them well. We need serious investigative news, that's for sure. The UT of course runs right but I really don't know much about Heard except for the official bio -- do any of you?
The SD Reader has an interesting take -- is Watchdog a way for the UT's new finance firm owners to "pare the payroll" or a "tax manuever for certain donors?"
And the EditorsWeblog says Watchdog and the UT are separate entities with the former being a nonprofit, but the UT has made "financial commitments" and will "collaborate closely".
The American Journalism Review says the UT is the largest contributor and that Heard is "converting the newspaper's investigative team into a nonprofit organization that seeks to form partnerships with various San Diego media outlets"
Hmmm. This is something to watch unfold... I have been wondering if some kind of a new nonprofit journalism model would emerge, considering media consolidation (and resulting lack of diversity in content; latest merger push is Comcast and NBC) and the implosion of newspapers due to loss of revenue from advertisers in turn due to the economic downturn and dollars (and eyeballs) migrating to the Net. One more link -- see the fabulous media reform group Free Press's ideas for revitalizing media via their new project: SavetheNews.org
Stay tuned: an upcoming blog post will be an update on the Local Community Radio Act in Congress.
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